Officials Pass On Street Name

HALLANDALE BEACH — The City Commission has decided to hand off on a decision whether to rename Southwest Eighth Avenue to Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

When the issue came before the commission on Aug. 6, the majority decided to give the task to the Historical Recognition Committee, which members said is the rightful authority to make the decision.

For some time, many residents of the city's predominantly black northwest section have been pushing to extend the name Martin Luther King Boulevard Jr. , also known as Northwest Eighth Avenue, to Southwest Eighth Avenue. Northwest Eighth Avenue currently runs from Pembroke Road to Hallandale Beach Boulevard. If the name is changed, the entire street would be named Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from Pembroke Road south to County Line Road.

Commissioners formed the committee a few months ago when they wanted to establish a protocol for recognizing people in such ways as renaming streets and facilities.

"It's a much better honor and a much fairer honor if it goes through this process," said Commissioner Tony Musto.

More than a decade ago residents of the southwest opposed renaming the street to Martin Luther King Boulevard Jr. But the area has become more diverse over the years and, after conducting a recent survey, southwest neighborhood leaders said residents have not shown much opposition.

Most importantly, Musto said the recently formed committee would ensure the community has strong input.

Commissioners Bill Julian and Joy Cooper, who both vehemently supported renaming the street, voted against allowing the committee to handle the task.

"Once again we're shoving it off, putting it on the back burner," Julian said.

The five-member committee is short two people, which led Julian to call it an "imaginary committee."

Musto said renaming the street to Martin Luther King Boulevard Jr. could very well be the right thing to do. But he said the committee should make that decision.

"This really shouldn't be a black and white issue," he said. "It should be about honoring a great individual."